Pigeon-holes



(No Model.) H SELL.

PIG-EON HOLES.

Patented May 27, 1884.

N. PETERS Photo-lithography. Wruhinglun, n. c.

NiTE STATES PATENT union,

HARRY D. PURSELL, OF WASHING-TON COURTHOUSE, OHIO.

PlGEON-HOLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,261, dated May 27, 1884.

Application filed March 26, 1884.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY D. PURsELL, of Washington Court- House, Fayette county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pigeon-Holes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists, essentially, of one or any number of vertical series of compartments adapted for the reception of documents-such as are commonly known as pigeon-holesthe vertical inolosing-walls and partitions for separating such series being made to project slightly in front of the horizontal partitions or tops of said pigeon-holes, and being formed with a vertical groove on each side. In these grooves, and between the aforesaid vertical partitions, are placed a series of slides or shut ters, of which each is of size sufficient to close one of the pigeon-holes, so that when it is desired to open any one of said pigeon-holes the slide directly in front of it (which may bear a distinguishing number, letter, or name) is lifted or slid upward, thereby shifting or elevating all of those above it. )Vhen such shutter has been raised sufficiently to completely or sufficiently open the pigeon-l1ole, it may be held in such elevated position by any suitable 1neanssuch, for example, as by a bolt, a cup board-catch, or a button, placed on the pigeon-hole ceiling. In order to permit the necessary movement of the slides, the top of the case is left without any pigeon-holes or sliding covers, and is inclosed by a cornice, 'molding, or other ornamental work. It is also provided with a hinged door, which is adapted to swing upward and be held in the open position by a suitable brace or catch. The inside of the door is provided with a lug, which, when the door is closed, engages over the top of the uppermost slide or slides, and thereby prevents thelifting of any of them. Said door is also preferably provided with a lock for security. The slides may be of wood, metal, or other suitable material, either entire or in form of an open frame containing a glass panel. The device may be laid on its back for use on show-counters.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents by vertical sections from front to back, and Fig. 2 by side view, a nest of pig- (No model.)

eon-holes embodying my invention, the cornice-door being elevated, and in Fig. 1 two of the shutters being lifted, so as to expose one of the pigeonholes. Figs. 8 and 4 are a top and a front View of part of such a nest in the closed and open conditions, respectively. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, to a larger scale, of a portion of the case and of the lockingdoor, the latter being shownelevated.

A represents a shell or case divided into a congeries of compartments or pigeon-holes, by means of vertical inclosing-walls and partitions B and horizontal bottom and parti tions 0. The vertical walls and partitions 13 project sufliciently forward of all the horizon tal partitions, except the bottom one, to receive grooves b, for the guidance and retention of a series of slides or sliding shutters or covers, D, of which those in each vertical tier rest edgwise with the lowest shutter upon the bottom horizontal partition, and the others, edge upon edge, on one another, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Knobs, handles, or finger-holes (l on the outer faces of the shutters enable convenient manipulation. Buttons E on the under sides of all the horizontal partitions, except the bottom one, enable the lifted shutters to be retained at will to'the elevated condition. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) The casing extends sufficiently above the highest horizontal partition to leave a vacant chamher or false compartment, A, which is hidden from view partly by a cornice, F, and partly by a door, G, whose upper edge is fastened by hinge H to said cornice. Lugs I, that project from the rear side of said door-one lug to each vertical series-serve, when the door is closed, (see Fig. 3,) to hold down the entire group of shutters. Elevation of the door, as in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, removes this impediment and permits elevation of any shutter or series of shutters. A look, J, on the door G, whose bolt engages in a suitable keeper in the case, enables the user to securely fasten the entire group of shutters.

Secured by pivot K to locking door G is a prop, L, whose notch Z, being engaged over stud M on the case, serves to hold'the said door to its open or non-effective condition when desired.

I claim as new and of my invention- 1. A nest of pigeon-holes whose inclosing vertical walls and partitions project slightly in front of the horizontal partitions, and have vertical grooves on each side containing sliding shutters resting edge upon edge, in combination with a door, substantially as set. forth.

2. A nest of pigeon-holes whose inclosing 4 vertical walls and partitions project slightly in front of the horizontal partitions, and whose vertical grooves contain sliding shutters resting edgewise upon one another, in combination with a hinged door provided with a rear lug or projection, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A nest of pigeon-holes whose inclosing vertical walls and partitions project slightly in front of the horizontal partitions, and are hinged door provided with a rear lug or projection and a lock, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a nest of pigeon-holes, the combina tion of a case, A, forwardly-projecting and grooved vertical walls and partitions B, horizontal partitions 0, slides D, buttons E, and hinged door G, having the rear lugs, I, lock J, and prop L, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY D. PUB-SELL.

Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, J OHN A. PENN. 

